Higher education in Nunavut

Higher education in Nunavut allows residents of this Canadian Arctic territory access to specialized training provided at post-secondary institutions.

There are some unique challenges faced by students wishing to pursue advanced training in Nunavut, a vast territory stretching across Arctic Canada from Hudsons Bay to the north pole.

[1] Today this early split is seen as an attempt by the dominant western college to retain resources and funding after division and has been seen at the heart of the multi-year struggle of the College to fulfill its mandate, address public perception, despite a number of successful and effective graduates, that instruction and student quality are low and that many students drop out or become perpetual enrollees in an atmosphere where instructors take advantage of weak management and collective bargaining status as "teachers" with school year type holidays and no obligations for research and long term scholarship.

These programs have aided northern residents in gaining skills needed for enhancing their positions within small business, government and non-governmental organizations.

The report recommended the restructuring of the Department of Education, changing how vocational and apprentice training are delivered, improving career guidance and development, and the creation of a mature student graduation certificate.

Adult literacy is identified a key barrier for employment for Arctic inhabitants, given that Nunavut is a region with skilled and semi-skilled jobs in sectors such as mining, fishing, tourism and government.

However, the practical recommendation that was ultimately made was for Nunavut Arctic College to continue to work with major Canadian universities in order to deliver specialized training.

At that time, it was clear that the small population and large geographic expanse did not allow for a free-standing university campus, particularly in a conventional form, until more residents successfully attain a complete K-12 education.

[10] Since that time, the concept of a university campus suitable for serving a small population base has evolved somewhat, although the timelines pertaining to potential tangible developments in the future are unclear.